1:32nd scale Airco DH.2

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I thought it was time to build one of the 'pushers' in my stash.
So next build a 'Wingnut Wings' model.

Airco DH.2, Serial No.5966 as flown by Capt. Alan Machin Wilkinson of ‘C’ Flight, No.24 Squadron, Bertangles, August 1916.

Mike

[HubertB]

This is going to be epic. The DH.2 is one of the few bipes in my stash (both the Roden and WnW - the Lanoe Hawker edition - kits). Your build is bookmarked for reference.

Hubert

[PanzerWomble]

Mind boggling rigging coming up . Look forward to see it come together . 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The basic nacelle is complete.
I've added some extra details:

Two pipes on the fuel fine control (forward, top of nacelle left side frame)
Pipe from the hand operated pressure pump (nacelle left side frame)
Tachometer drive (nacelle right side frame)
Rudder control cables
Aileron control cables (hidden by pilots seat)
Crossed bracing wires in nacelle side frames
Crossed bracing wires over top of the engine drip tray in rear of nacelle.

A second pair of crossed bracing wires behind the engine will be fitted once the lower wing is fitted (wires attached to lower wing rear spar.
The Lewis machine gun will be fitted later in the build.
Now onto the outside of the nacelle,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The engine is completed.
I added ignition leads made from annealed 0.125 mm diameter copper wire,

Mike

[DocRob]

Fantastic as always Mike. I am eagerly awaiting the rigging phase, as I have a Fe.2b in my stash and more than once, I wanted to start, but shied away, because of the rigging.

Cheers Rob

[sandbagger]

8 hours ago, DocRob said:

Fantastic as always Mike. I am eagerly awaiting the rigging phase, as I have a Fe.2b in my stash and more than once, I wanted to start, but shied away, because of the rigging.

Cheers Rob

Hi Rob,

Yes, I have two FE2's and two Cauldrons still to build - someday 🤪

 

Mike 

[belugawhaleman]

Wow! Nice work!

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've replaced the pre-molded stitching on the nacelle as I thought it looked slightly flat.
I used photo-etch stitching from the ‘HGW Models’ AMC DH.2 set (132097).
I've also added the cover strip between the nose and nacelle upper cowl.
That was cut from 0.2 mm thick plastic card,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The basic nacelle is now complete.
Apart from replacing the stitching, I've also replaced the molded straps on the rear cover.
These were made from strips of 0.1 mm thick plastic card with photo-etch buckle ends.
The underside sliding panel was replaced with photo-etch.
I added the nacelle drain hole and the two pairs of attachment end fittings.
Weathering was with 'Flory Models' Dart Dirt wash.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The undersides have been prepared for applying 'Aviattic' CDL decal.
First primed with 'Tamiya' Fine Surface Primer aerosole (grey).
Then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Dark Wood (MRP-262).
Thin strips of masking were applied to represent the internal structure.
Then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256).
All masking tape removed.
Then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256) to fade the internal structure.

The DH.2 was fitted with either a two or for bladed propeller.
The four bladed propeller fitted to the DH.2 was the ‘Darracq’ T7928 type that had been already fitted to the FE.8 fighter.
Some had metal plates fitted to the blade leading edge tips to protect against damage or erosion.
Others had the tips wrapped in doped linen for the same reasons.
I chose to represent the linen wrapping type.
Masked then airbrushed with ‘MRP’ acrylic lacquer Clear Doped Linen (MRP-256).
Lined weathered with 'Tamiya' Weathering Master Set D (Oil Stain).
Single 'Darracq' company logo applied to one blade (as seen on an FE.8 propeller).

Mike

 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Decals have been applied.
The upper surfaces are 'Aviattic' white backed linen effect PC10 'light' (ATT32808).
The underside surfaces are 'Aviattic' clear backed Clear Doped Linen bleached effect (ATT32044).
The rudder serial 5966 was made from ‘Xtradecal’ RAF numbers/letters (32021).

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Weathering done using 'Flory Models' Dark Dirt and Grime washes.
Now it's onto preparing for rigging before assembly,

Mike

[HubertB]

Beautiful work 

Hubert

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
A couple of modifications.

The aileron control cables exited the nacelle from their pulley fairings and were retained at the leading edge of each lower wing by either two or three cable fairleads, before being turned rearwards around the outer pulleys.
I chose to fit three fairleads to both lower wings after the wing decals were applied.
Fairleads made from 0.4 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube.

The fuel from the gravity tank on the upper wing was transferred through a pipe, attached between the underside of the upper wing and across to the forward, left cabane strut and into the nacelle.
Made from 0.7 mm diameter Nickel-Silver tube and 0.4 mm diameter flexible tube.

Mike

[belugawhaleman]

Looks amazing! 

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
I've pre-rigged the upper wing, nacelle and landing gear.
Now the upper wing has been fitted.
Next is to finally rig the wings before assembly continues,

Mike

[Bomber_County]

Mike, words fail me, stunning……

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The basic wing rigging is complete.

I've added:
Twin flying wires (x 16)
Single landing wires (x 8)
Interplane strut bracing wires (x 16)
Cabane strut bracing wires (x 4)

Still to add later:
Rudder, elevator and aileron control cables
Upper and lower drag/tail boom wires
Landing gear bracing wires

Now it's onto rigging the two tail booms before continuing with assembly,

Mike

[DocRob]

Fantastic rigging job, Mike. Your DH.2 will be a beauty when finished. Somehow your build motivated me to start my Fe.2b or Caudron G.III soon.

Cheers Rob

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The tail booms have been added.
I've added 12 crossed bracing wires.
The forward two on each side extend forward to become the upper and lower drag wires.

Still to add:
Rudder/fin bracing wires (x 4)
Tailplane bracing wires (x 4)
Landing gear bracing wires (x 4)
Rudder/tail skis control cables
Elevator control cables
Aileron control cables.

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
The tail plane bracing wires have been added.
Also the crossed bracing wires at the rear of the tail booms.
The crossed bracing wires on the landing gear.

Now to rig the rudder, tail skid, elevator control cables.

Once they are done it just leaves the aileron control cables and wings to tail boom bracing wires to fit,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
And more.
Rudder and tail skid control cables,

Mike

[sandbagger]

Hi all,
Rigging is completed.
Bracing wires from upper and lower wings to tail booms.
Aileron control cables from underside of nacelle out through leading edge fairleads to underside pulley fairing.
Aileron control cables from underside pulley fairings to lower aileron control horns.
Aileron control cables from lower ailerons to upper ailerons.

Now onto finishing the assembly of remaining parts,

Mike

[HubertB]

Magnificent !

Are the turnbuckles for the elevator and rudder cables Gaspatch ones ?

Hubert